Genoa was covered by the Austrians on land and a British naval squadron at sea. The French hoped to hold on long enough for the troops under Napoleon to draw off the besiegers. But with 4,000 killed or died of illness and a further 4,000 sick or wounded General Massena surrendered the city. Only 4,000 were able to march out with the honours of war. The Austrian triumph was short lived as the French reoccupied the city on the 22nd June.